Friday, August 29, 2008

Freewheelin Sets Wheels Free in Denver

With the Democratic National Convention having wrapped up last night, Freewheelin has opened the minds of many Americans about what bike-sharing is and what it could be for their home city. According to MarketWatch, "riders took 5,552 Freewheelin rides this week, logging 26,493 miles ridden in and around downtown Denver. That equals 821,304 calories burned and a carbon-footprint reduction of 9.3 metric tones. The rides/miles goal for the DNC and RNC combined is 10,000 rides and 25,000 miles; riders in Denver have already eclipsed the miles goal."

OK, Republican conventioneers, now it's your turn to show which party is the king of bike-sharing. Freewheelin's next stop is Minneapolis and St. Paul this Saturday, August 30. At 10 a.m., leaders of the Republican National Convention host cities will lead an inaugural Freewheelin ride through Minneapolis. The Freewheelin' stands will be open September 1 - 4 from 7am - 7pm at seven locations in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

6 comments:

That's wonderful what they've done there. A mobile bike rental co.. Should open the eyes of some influential people. Clearly the Republicans will be less receptive. That party which worships the private and despises the public, wouldn't imagine going to work otherwise than by their own private, gas-guzzling car.

As a biker in Minneapolis I was very excited when I saw this was being set up; but appalled when I saw Freewhelin employees (or maybe volunteers) get out of a Cadillac Escalade in front of the Freewhelin station on the Government Plaza in Downtown Minneapolis. Can someone explain how this makes any sense?

The 2008 Democratic National Convention is history, and delegates, visitors to Denver and city residents have spoken: they want four more years (or much more) of Freewheelin. The innovative bicycle-sharing program from partners Humana and Bikes Belong delighted thousands of riders from all 50 U.S. states and 30 countries during its four-day run at the DNC.

In all, riders took 5,552 Freewheelin rides this week, logging 26,493 miles ridden in and around downtown Denver. That equals 821,304 calories burned and a carbon-footprint reduction of 9.3 metric tones. The rides/miles goal for the DNC and RNC combined is 10,000 rides and 25,000 miles; riders in Denver have already eclipsed the miles goal.

“What a week it has been in Denver,” said Tim Blumenthal, executive director of bicycling-advocacy organization Bikes Belong. “We saw everyone from the mayors of Denver, Baltimore, Madison and Milwaukee to members of Congress and thousands of Colorado residents taking Freewheelin rides – and having a whole lot of fun on these bicycles. Freewheelin has shown many people here that riding a bicycle is a great way to get around town – especially for short trips. We’re thrilled with this enthusiastic response to Freewheelin.”